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Your Observer

Randy and Martha Wells
    By
  • Petra Rivera
  • August 2, 2023
Husband and wife dolphin researchers balance each other's strengths

Randy and Martha Wells met through the Sarasota Dolphin Research Program and have complemented each other’s strengths ever since.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Gary Morrison, of Longboat Key, and Kimberly Skaff, of Charleston, West Virginia, sold their Unit 607 condominium at 1241 Gulf of Mexico Drive to Eric Doubell, trustee, of Stow, Ohio, for $3.15 million.
    By
  • Adam Hughes
  • August 2, 2023
Top residential real estate sales for July 17-21 in Longboat Key, Lido Key, St. Armands Key, Bird Key

A condominium in The Water Club tops the week's sales at $3.15 million.

  • Longboat Key
  • Real Estate
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • August 2, 2023
$100,000 donation will fully fund Sarasota's mental health court through 2023

Hugh Culverhouse Jr. donated $100,000 to the Comprehensive Treatment Court for offenders with mental health disorders. He donated $50,000 to the program earlier this year.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Twerking teens ding-dong ditch doorbell cam in downtown tower
    By
  • Andrew Warfield
  • August 2, 2023
Twerking teens ding-dong ditch doorbell cam in downtown tower

A resident expressed concern over security after trespassers' prank. This and other Sarasota Police Department reports in this week's Cops Corner.

  • Sarasota
  • Cops Corner
Warmer water temperatures in Florida may have future impacts on Sarasota Bay, according to some local experts.
    By
  • Carter Weinhofer
  • August 2, 2023
Warmer water temperatures already have effect on Sarasota Bay

Local experts and water recreation guides weigh in on the impacts of rising water temperatures in Sarasota Bay.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
The No Trespass sign leading to William Pugh's residence on Hog Town Lane in Myakka City. Pugh has accrued $1.4 million in fines from Manatee County code enforcement violations.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • August 1, 2023
Residents owe Manatee County $26.3 million for code violations fines

Code enforcement can't force compliance, so fines accrue at $100 a day for years on end.

  • East County
  • News
Braden River High rising senior kicker Brunno Reus.
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • August 1, 2023
East County Athlete of the Week: Brunno Reus

The Braden River High rising junior kicker received a DI offer from Louisiana-Monroe on July 25.

  • East County
  • Sports
Thanks to a lease extension, Sarasota Classic Car Museum must vacate its long-running space owned by New College of Florida by November.
    By
  • Andrew Warfield
  • August 1, 2023
Sarasota Classic Car Museum agrees to four-month lease extension

A lease agreement with New College requires the vintage auto museum to vacate by November. The search for a new home continues.

  • Sarasota
  • News
This Country Club East home at 15114 Linn Park Terrace sold for $2,025,000. It has three bedrooms, three-and-a-half baths, a pool and 3,393 square feet of living area.
    By
  • Adam Hughes
  • August 1, 2023
Top residential real estate sales for July 17-21 in Lakewood Ranch

A Country Club East home on Linn Park Terrace tops the week's sales at $2.03 million.

  • East County
  • Real Estate
Benderson Development, which built The Mall at University Town Center, has bought the Crossings at Siesta Key.
    By
  • Andrew Warfield
  • August 1, 2023
Benderson shares plans for reclassifying Crossings at Siesta Key property

At a community workshop, Benderson Development announced plans for zoning changes to permit a mixed-use development at the former mall.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Dr. William Nields presented at St. Armands Key Lutheran Church on July 28.
    By
  • Petra Rivera
  • August 1, 2023
Doctor discusses holistic prevention of Alzheimer's

Dr. William Nields spoke to St. Armands Key Lutheran Church about fighting cognitive decline.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Manatee County wetland regulations will be reviewed by the Board of County Commissioners on Aug. 17.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • August 1, 2023
Wetland regulations set for review by Manatee County

Commissioners say it's premature to believe they will lessen wetland buffers to align with state regulations.

  • East County
  • News
Police try to locate suspicious trash picker
    By
  • Carter Weinhofer
  • August 1, 2023
Police try to locate suspicious trash picker

Police were dispatched in response to an incident with someone digging through a construction dumpster. This and other Longboat Key Police reports in this week's Cops Corner.

  • Longboat Key
  • Cops Corner
Cody Kawcak is a breakout candidate at tight end for Braden River High in 2023.
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • August 1, 2023
The 10 high school senior football players to watch in East County

This group includes both returning stars and breakout candidates from Lakewood Ranch, Braden River and The Out-of-Door Academy.

  • East County
  • Sports
As of July 18, Longboat Key Police Department received nine of the patrol vehicles for the take-home vehicle program. Five of those nine are hybrid vehicles.
    By
  • Carter Weinhofer
  • August 1, 2023
Investment in police compensation, vehicles already paying off

Take-home vehicles and increased salaries and benefits for Longboat officers have helped the department fill vacancies.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Brooke Langston won the big raffle at the World Mangrove Day event on July 29, giving her the opportunity to christen Suncoast Waterkeeper's nee patrol boat.
    By
  • Carter Weinhofer
  • August 1, 2023
Suncoast Waterkeeper christens patrol boat, expands monitoring program

The patrol boat will help Suncoast Waterkeeper monitor the bay and quickly respond to pollution concerns.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
The city of Sarasota is exploring future uses of the Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall once a new Sarasota Performing Arts Center is built.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • August 1, 2023
Van Wezel included on 'places to save' list

The Florida Trust of Historic Places has placed the Sarasota performing arts hall on its 11 to Save list of threatened historic properties.

  • Sarasota
  • News
    By
  • Andrew Warfield
  • July 31, 2023
Arrest made in July 24 shooting near St. Armands Circle

A Punta Gorda teen was in Venice Police Department custody on unrelated charges when identified by Sarasota detectives.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Illusionist Marshall Chandler entertains Lynn Hagan and Mary Frances Mondo.
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • July 31, 2023
Magic & Mystery Night Faire offers Sarasota a new experience

The event was the first of four that will be held by art studio Creative Liberties.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Networking at Noon was hosted at the Chart House from 11:30 p.m. to 1:30 p.m.
    By
  • Petra Rivera
  • July 31, 2023
Networking at Noon welcomes new, potential members to the chamber

The Chart House hosted the Longboat Key Chamber of Commerce for a summer networking luncheon.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Rachel Scharbo, the teen librarian at Braden River Library, goes over opening a checking account and savings account during an Adulting 101 session.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • July 31, 2023
Braden River Library offers classes on 'adulting'

Adulting 101 teaches teens about finances, budgeting, nutrition, time management and more to help prepare them for their futures.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Longboat Key's first grants coordinator, Kalee Shaberts, started hunting for possible grants on July 17, 2023.
    By
  • Carter Weinhofer
  • July 31, 2023
Longboat Key’s new grants coordinator streamlines review process

Kalee Shaberts hit the ground running on July 17 as other town employees share her optimism about the new position.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
An artistic illustration of the Alton Lakewood apartments being planned for the southeast corner of State Road 64 East and Lorraine Road.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • July 31, 2023
Pet-friendly apartment complex slated for SR 64, Lorraine Road

The Alton Lakewood apartments will feature a dog park and pet spa along with an oversized fitness center and outdoor running track.

  • East County
  • News
LJ Govoni, president of Fat Point Brewing Co., offers up a Keywaydin Island blonde ale at the grand opening July 28 at UTC.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • July 30, 2023
Fat Point Brewing offers pint-sized satisfaction at UTC

Sarasota's newest craft beer pub opened at a small, intimate setting on Cattlemen Road.

  • East County
  • Opinion
Sarasota city commissioners adopted an ordinance in 2021 to register and regulate vacation rentals in coastal communities.
    By
  • Andrew Warfield
  • July 30, 2023
Sarasota considers expansion of ordinance regulating vacation rentals

Current vacation rental fee revenues fall short of city's regulatory expenses by roughly $100,000.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Lakewood Ranch's Jacqueline Darby shares memories of going to Mixon Fruit Farms with Janet Mixon. Darby has been going to Mixon Fruit Farms for 40 years.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • July 29, 2023
Mixon Fruit Farms closes its doors in Bradenton

Patrons said goodbye to Mixon Fruit Farms after 84 years of memories.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Lakewood Ranch High School welcomes John Wilkerson as its new director of bands.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • July 29, 2023
Lakewood Ranch High welcomes new director of bands

John Wilkerson wants to focus on the little things as he works with his students.

  • East County
  • Schools
The Greer Island Spit Management Project began with clearing necessary vegetation the week of July 24.
    By
  • Carter Weinhofer
  • July 29, 2023
Beer Can Island dredging to be finished by end of August

After slight delays caused by wildlife, the town began clearing vegetation on-site to prepare for a quick dredging.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Dance instructor Daisy Saunders, 75, and student Helen McBean, who, at 88 years old, is a regular in Saunders' classes
    By
  • James Peter
  • July 28, 2023
Health fair encourages seniors to stay in motion

The Senior Friendship Centers Wellness in Motion Health and Services Fair drew a crowd for dance and fitness demos and outreach from 20 vendors.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Eleven-year-old Henry Greenwell, 12-year-old Max Dinetz and Mike Donnerstag make banana bread together.
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • July 28, 2023
Kids choose their own culinary adventures at Chef Mike’s Catering camp

The camp helped children prepare an entire buffet with a wide variety of dishes.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Gail Loefgren, Longboat Key Chamber of Commerce president
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • July 28, 2023
Longboat Key Chamber of Commerce president announces retirement

Gail Loefgren served in the role for more than 25 years and led the chamber’s development.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
The caution tape around a blank area in Publix on Longboat Key will be replaced with self-checkout machines.
    By
  • Carter Weinhofer
  • July 28, 2023
Revamp underway at Longboat's Publix

The Publix on Bay Isles parkway is under minor construction, which will include the addition of self-checkout machines.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
This 1977 Porsche 930 turbo valued at $250,000 was stolen on June 14 from Sarasota Classic Car Museum. It has since been recovered.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • July 28, 2023
Sarasota man held in connection with theft from Classic Car Museum

Daniel Boyce is being held without bond in the theft of a 1977 Porsche 930 turbo valued at $250,000.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Fire and Police department of Longboat Key mingle over ice cream provided by the Longboat Key Rotary Club on July 25.
    By
  • Petra Rivera
  • July 28, 2023
Longboat Key first responders enjoy ice cream provided by Rotary Club

The Rotary Club arranged for an ice cream truck to deliver frozen treats to the police and fire departments to celebrate their hard work around the Key.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • July 28, 2023
Back-to-school sales tax holiday continues through Aug. 6

During the holiday, purchases of school essentials are exempt from sales taxes.

  • Sarasota
  • News
    By
  • Andrew Warfield
  • July 28, 2023
Workshop on county administration workshop set for Tuesday

Benderson will present its proposal for comprehensive plan changes to allow for new urbanism redevelopment.

  • Sarasota
  • News
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Latest News

1
Letters to Santa carry Christmas wishes and love
  • December 21, 2025
Letters to Santa carry Christmas wishes and love
2
Sue Wertman has rung the bell outside the Publix on Longboat Key on behalf of the Kiwanis Club of Longboat Key since 2013.
  • December 21, 2025
Longest-serving Longboat bellringer attributes motivation to family
3
Sarasota Memorial Hospital's Kolschowsky Research and Education Institute.
  • December 21, 2025
SMH participates in global bladder cancer treatment clinical trial
4
Santa greets visitors from the window of 9605 Governor's Club Place in The River Club.
  • December 20, 2025
Christmas decorating isn't just for kids
5
The Family Church caroling crew from left to right is Melody Johnson, Laurie Houston, Nancy Pilato, Pastor Phil Derstine and Terrial Robinson.
  • December 20, 2025
East Manatee church members will go through bars to spread Christmas joy

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